Local Leaders Team Up To End Prosecution Of Wecht

Channel 11 News learned Wednesday morning that several prominent politicians are teaming up, asking the U.S. attorney to end the prosecution of former Allegheny County Coroner Dr. Cyril Wecht.

A letter was sent to the United States Attorney General and to U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan and was signed by 33 community members, including a handful of prominent Republicans. Among them are former Rep. Melissa Hart, former Republican Party Chair Elsie Hillmand and former Allegheny County Chief Executive Jim Roddy.

They signed the letter asking the Justice Department to reconsider the decision to re-try Wecht after a jury deadlocked and the judge declared a mistrial.

The letter states that Wecht and his family have endured a great deal, and that a second trial would not be in the interest of justice. The letter goes on to say that the jurors deliberated for 53 hours and were not convinced that Wecht was guilty of even one count and indicates that the jury system has spoken.

Target 11’s Rick Earle has a call into Buchanan's office and is waiting for a call back.

Channel 11 will be working on this story throughout the day, and we'll have more on Channel 11 News at 5.

Trial Timeline: Here is a look at some of the important dates during the course of the trial:

In April of last year, Wecht was indicted by the Grand Jury.

He was charged with 84 counts of using his public office for personal financial gain. The number of counts was eventually reduced to 41.

The trial began on January 28 and lasted more than seven weeks.

Jury deliberations began March 18.

On April 1, one of the jurors got sick. The judge said deliberations would continue with just 11 jurors.

And on April 3, jurors said they would not be able to reach a verdict and the judge declared a mistrial.

Previous Stories: April 11, 2008: Rep. Doyle Issues Statement On Wecht Retrial April 3, 2008: Jury Deadlocked In Wecht Trial April 1, 2008: Juror On Cyril Wecht Trial Rushed To Hospital March 26, 2008: No Verdict In Cyril Wecht Trial, Deliberations Resume Thursday March 17, 2008: Closing Arguments Expected In Wecht Trial February 19, 2008: US Air Employee Takes Stand In Wecht Trial February 7, 2008: Movie Starring Dr. Cyril Wecht Shown During His Trial January 31, 2008: Cyril Wecht Trial: Updates From The Courtroom January 30, 2008: Wecht's Former Investigator Talks About Running Errands For Coroner January 29, 2008: One Of Prosecution's Top Witnesses Against Cyril Wecht Takes Big Hit January 28, 2008: Trial Begins For Former Coroner Cyril Wecht January 23, 2008: Jury Selection Begins In Wecht Case January 10, 2008: Jury Selection Begins In Trial Of Cyril Wecht January 9, 2008: Names Of Jurors In Wecht Case Will Be Made Public September 18, 2007: Judge Decides On FBI Evidence Allowed In Wecht Trial July 12, 2007: Record Of Agent In Wecht Case Released April 12, 2007: Courts Rule In FBI Agent File Linked With Wecht